Exterminator stole jewelry from home, police say

Police arrested a man who they said pretended to be an exterminator when he stole jewelry from a home in Port Orange.

Investigators said Johnny Swanger, 45, was arrested at his home Tuesday and charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and grand theft.

On Wednesday, WESH 2 News learned that Swanger is also being investigated for other cases in Port Orange, Daytona Beach Shores and Volusia County, police said.

"I'm furious because it's my 82-year-old father, and anything could have happened," said Carolina Gullo, who was at work when the incident happened.

Police said the family had an appointment with a pest control company the day before, and Swanger told his victim, who suffers from throat cancer, that this was a follow-up visit.

"It was very, very legitimate, and again, my dad let him in, but I probably would have done the same thing," Gullo said.

She said Swanger sprayed around the corners of the master bedroom while taking jewelry off the bathroom counter, including some heirlooms belonging to her husband. She said they didn't notice that things were missing until that evening.

Police said the gated community's security cameras caught Swanger's truck in the neighborhood.

"I'm angry," Gullo said. "I'm furious how easily this can happen."

Swanger worked for Dave's Pest Control in Port Orange until last summer when he was fired after customers raised suspicions about him, but investigators said he continued to pose as an exterminator.

Authorities said they have surveillance of Swanger pawning some of the stolen items.

Swanger was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail and being held on a $10,000 bond.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective George Oliveira 386-506-5895.